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practices (including downgauging of
label face materials and release base,
and the recycling of process waste such
as start-up materials/inks/spent release
liner) must also be central to the label
converter’s activities. This is an arena
where our industry has already seen
much real achievement, and – taking into
account all the elements of labelling,
including transportation and inventory
requirements, as well as labelling line
set-up and downtime issues – self-
adhesive solutions can really offer a lean
solution. Measuring the total applied
cost (TAC) is a good way to prove the
efficacy of self-adhesive label solutions.
E-commerce has long been a key to the
effective running of the relationship
between labelstock supplier and label
converter, and today’s ‘back office’ at the
label converter can be seamlessly
integrated with the front end. Using
today’s most up-to-date systems, which
match those of the customers, is key.
setting
the
context
There are other significant matters on
the label converter’s menu today.
Perhaps most importantly, making the
interested in taking on the reins is one
solution, but there are other possibilities
too. Specialisation is one route: there
are successful label printing companies
serving such specialist industries as
pharmaceuticals and wines and spirits.
Alternatively, companies can look to
extend their reach from being a ‘local’
supply base, to cross-border trading and,
then, an international presence --
achieved either independently or as a
result of establishing partnerships and
alliances with like-minded companies in
other countries. Finally, of course, there
are mergers and acquisitions – today an
area where we are seeing very strong
activity. In this business environment,
printers of packaging media other than
labels (as well as ailing commercial
printers) are strengthening their
positions with label printer buy-outs.
The economies and improved
profitability which supply chain
participants can achieve by owning up-
and down-stream companies in the
labelling chain are very evident today.
Major brand owners and retailers are
also considering the possibility of
owning their own label printshops.
providing
essential
back
-
up
FINAT, working with its partner national
European associations and the L9 – a
recently-established group of nine
regional label associations worldwide – is
actively playing a key role in establishing
decision as to how to take the business
forward in the early 21st century. The
self-adhesive label industry has come a
long way in its relatively short life; and it
was small, entrepreneurial ‘start-up’
companies with a vision who, around 30
years ago, kick-started it. With a
relatively low-cost printroom setup, they
were still able to offer their customers
enormous variety – particularly in terms
of label shape, thanks to the
exceptionally fine kiss-diecutting results
that could be achieved in the same
machine pass in which the label was
printed. The nature of the basic
labelstock construction – a sandwich of
printable face material backed by an
adhesive layer and a release liner – has
made it probably the most flexible and
versatile labelling medium available.
Not only are the constituents of the
labelstock all variable, but its stability
allows labels to be automatically applied
accurately, quickly, and cleanly on simple
label dispensing equipment.
where
next
?
30 years on, the founders of these
businesses are reaching retirement – and
the succession-planning process must
begin. The ‘savoir faire’ of young
managers in what is a specialty
converting industry is crucial – in terms
of sound strategic business planning as
well as in-depth familiarity of
technologies. FINAT’s Young Managers’
Club was inaugurated in 2008 for just
this purpose; A younger generation
21
FINAT YEARBOOK
2013
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